Rich NazzaroJan 5, 2023
Will Oremus

Elon Musk claimed he fixed Twitter's verification system to stop verifying impostors.

So our columnist @geoffreyfowler tested it again--and again was able to get a blue checkmark (and go viral) impersonating a U.S. Senator. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/01/05/twitter-blue-verification/

Twitter said it fixed ‘verification.’ So I impersonated a senator (again).

Elon Musk said Twitter would begin authenticating users who pay $8 for Blue. Our tech columnist was still able to get a checkmark for an impostor Sen. Ed Markey.

The Washington Post
Jan 5, 2023 at 8:15pmWeb
Show threadRayRayJan 5, 2023
@willoremus @geoffreyfowler he fixed it like he fixes his cars.
Show threadShawn in MontrealJan 5, 2023
@willoremus @geoffreyfowler It's almost as if he's a psychopathic liar or something but that can't be right.
Show threadJeffJan 5, 2023
@willoremus @geoffreyfowler get your spouse's private message for a blue check
Show threadLigia MorrisJan 5, 2023
@willoremus @geoffreyfowler LOL
Show threadPointlessSpikeJan 5, 2023
@willoremus @geoffreyfowler I'm pretty sure you can get a number with a free sim card. Phone companies send them out the moment you ask, and you can use pay as you go (at least in the UK). That $15 may have been wasted.
Show threadMr. Gary🇺🇦🇪🇺🍉🇺🇲Jan 5, 2023

@willoremus @geoffreyfowler

They can take blue check mark and shove it Musk 👇👇

Show threadUnprecedented 2023Jan 5, 2023
@willoremus @geoffreyfowler I guess he lies.
Show threadjimmygolitelyJan 5, 2023

@willoremus @geoffreyfowler

And yet here you are, on Mastodon, still talking about Twitter. Booooring, next topic please.

Show threadScepticJan 5, 2023
@willoremus @geoffreyfowler Ah, but can you impersonate Musk himself? If not then I would suggest that it counts as "fixed" as far as he's concerned.
Show threadStr8ngerJan 6, 2023
@willoremus @geoffreyfowler and how many journalists & media outlets have left Twitter? 🤨 #MothsToTheFlame
Show threadTofu GolemJan 6, 2023
@willoremus @geoffreyfowler
Quick, someone impersonate another pharmaceutical company and crash their stocks.
Show threadReal_JamesCainJan 6, 2023

@willoremus @geoffreyfowler

Even though I’ve said it’s coming so many times, you’ve assumed #TwitterBlue isn’t being made. WHO ARE YOU to decide when the development timeline ends? Twitter Blue is coming, I will make damn sure of it. #ElonMusk #TwitterDown

Show threadMattJan 6, 2023

@willoremus @geoffreyfowler So hot take… this is all a good thing. If we can’t trust what an online identity is saying, then we can only judge by the persons actions IRL. In this idealized #hotTake , the end result is #politicians , et. al., become better stewards to the populace, as rhetoric has lost its strength.

Ok, I know, but a guy can dream.

Show threadLonewolfJan 6, 2023
@willoremus @geoffreyfowler that's what happens when you fire people that know what they are doing. And let a guy who pretends to know what he's talking about
Show threadKurt RisserJan 6, 2023
@willoremus @geoffreyfowler the purpose of Twitter's new verification system has nothing to do with verification. It has to do with revenue generation for Twitter.
Show threadOld Man MikeJan 6, 2023
@willoremus @geoffreyfowler epic! 🤣 🐴🍆💦
Show threadToddJan 8, 2023
@willoremus @geoffreyfowler
Self driving is available next year!